Alliance welcomes Sports Winter Survival Package released by government

The Sports Winter Survival Package, which is largely composed of loans, will see Sport England work with DCMS and are expected to start distributing the funds in the coming weeks.

Responding to the latest announcement, Sport and Recreation Alliance CEO, Lisa Wainwright said: “This is very welcome news for the 11 sports covered by this rescue money, and we are pleased to see government recognise the urgent requirement for this support.

“COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the entire sports and physical activity sector and this news will go some way to mitigating the damage caused to a number of the most popular spectator sports in the country.

“The sports in question will be working with Sport England and DCMS to ensure a timely delivery of funds. It’s also critical that a proportion of this money goes to the lifeblood of each sport at the community level.

“It remains crucial that community sport and recreation is opened up as soon as possible to enhance the physical and mental health of the nation as we move out of the debilitating effects of lockdown.

“While this release of funding is a very welcome development, we should remember that many sports are not covered by this package and they remain in a perilous situation with clubs and community centres struggling to survive the latest restrictions.

“To this extent, community sport and leisure still stands on a precipice. Today's news means that we have been able to at least take a few steps back from that precipice, but we look forward to working with government on further support to protect the full breadth of grassroots physical activity.”

The full statement from DCMS can be read here.

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